Man accused of burning home in domestic dispute

Thursday

A Gastonia man faces charges after police say he attempted to burn his home down while angry over a domestic dispute.

Gastonia Police charged 50-year-old Ted Stephen Falls Jr. with fraudulently burning a dwelling and for communicating threats after they say he set fire to his home at 2654 Castle Hill Drive.

A woman living at the home with whom Falls had a relationship was home at the time, according to arrest warrants.

"I'm going to burn the house down with me and you in it," Falls reportedly told the woman, according to arrest warrants.

Gastonia Fire Department responded to the blaze, which was small, according to Department Fire Marshal Chris Stowe. There were no injuries, there was minimal damage and Falls and the woman were still in the home during the fire, he said.

After that, Stowe said command was turned over to the police. The fire department is still investigating and could not release more details.

According to Gazette partner WSOC, police spent time talking Falls out of the home when he didn't want to leave. Ultimately they were able to take him into custody.

Falls was booked into Gaston County Jail around 2:30 a.m. Thursday under a domestic violence hold on his release.

You can reach Alyssa Pressler at 704-869-1819 or Twitter.com/AlyssaPress71.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.